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What a Caregiver Can Expect During the Final Act of Living

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The topic of death and losing a loved one, for many, is a difficult topic to address and understand. Every individual will go through a different process and each caregiver will experience different emotions. There is no right or wrong way to feel when the one you love is reaching the final act of living.

“I truly believe it’s all about the living. We are born and we die and everything in between is living, clear until our last breath.” – Diana Cazier

The final act of living is a challenge. This is a flexible guideline for what caregivers can watch for because no one knows the exact date that someone will pass.

Signs to look for in the Final Act of Living

One to three months before death:

Withdrawal from world and people

Decreased food intake

Increase in sleep

Going inside self

Less communication

One to two weeks before death:

Mental Changes

Disorientation

Agitation

Talking with the unseen

Confusion

Picking at clothes

Physical Changes

Decreased blood pressure

Pulse increase or decrease

Skin color changes; pale, bluish

Increased perspiration

Respiration irregularities

Congestion

Sleeping but responding

Complaints of body tired and heavy

Not eating, taking little fluids

Body temperature: hot, cold

Days or hours before death:

Intensification of one to two week’s signs

Surge of energy

Decrease in blood pressure

Eyes glassy, tearing, half open

Irregular breathing: stop, start

Restlessness or no activity

Purplish, blotchy knees, feet, hands

Pulse weak and hard to find

Decreased urine outlet

May wet orstool the bed

Acetone breath

Minutes before death:

“Fish out of water” breathing

Cannot be awakened

Through this presentation, we were taught how to be more aware and understanding of the different signs we may observe as one approaches death from disease or old age. We are so grateful to Diana for her presentation as it will continue to help us be more supportive and observant as professional in-home caregivers.

“At Aspen Senior Care, we like to align ourselves with the finest Home Health and Hospice agencies in Utah. We appreciate their willingness to present at our in-service training and reach us about important topics. We are better because of it.”

About us

We are a personal care agency helping seniors with all their non-medical needs. We work closely with several great home health and hospice agencies as well as other professionals serving the needs of seniors. Call us today!